Need help to write a backup script...

[baula]

Helo frndz,
I'm novice in shell scripting...I need ur frnd help to write a shell script for taking backups. This script should use cp command to take backups. Script can read the list of directories and destination directory from a file or ask user for this info interactively...

Example:
Only two options -i (for interactive run) and "-f file" (to read backup info from a file) are allowed. When an invalid option is entered, script displays a message in shown below:
$ a2backup -r
syntax: a2backup [ -i/ -f file]

$ a2backup -i
Welcome to the Interactive Backup utility
Enter the source directory [/home/maskara/sya710]:
Enter the destination directory: /home/backup
What type of backup do you want ( ncremental / [f]ull backup) :
Follow symbolic link (Y/N) [n]:
Directory backed up successfully...

Plz help me to do this...:( ...

Thnx

[sknake]

Use rsync. It already does this and has more robust command line options.

[baula]

Sory dear SKnake, Thnx for ur reply...But I cant use any software...:( it's my assignment, have to do with writing a script...:( & also have to follow da above mentioned example...:( ...any other advise?? Do U know how to write this code?? plz help me...

Thnx again...

[sknake]

Why don't you share the code you have so far so we can see what needs to be done? The incremental backup is going to be a little bit of work...

[baula]

Dear sknake,
I dun have code yet...I dun understand where I've to start!...:( I'm still trying to write this code...I dun understand how to initialize da OPTION value, so that da entered value (i.e, except '-i' or '-f') is invalid or not...I'm not good in programming man...:(

Thnx

[sknake]

I'll get you started with the user input. Here is the sample output:

sk@sk:~/tmp$ ./ba.sh
syntax: ./ba.sh [ -i/ -f file]
sk@sk:~/tmp$ ./ba.sh -i
Welcome to the Interactive Backup utility
Enter the source directory [/home/maskara/sya710]: /ab
Enter the destination directory [/home/backup]: /dc
/ab
/dc

Now the actual script:

#!/bin/bash

d_srcdir="/home/maskara/sya710"
d_dstdir="/home/backup"

if ([ "$1" == "-i" ]); then
  echo "Welcome to the Interactive Backup utility"
  echo -n "Enter the source directory [${d_srcdir}]: "
  read srcdir

  if ! test $srcdir; then
    srcdir=${d_srcdir}
  fi

  echo -n "Enter the destination directory [${d_dstdir}]: "
  read dstdir

  if ! test $dstdir; then
    dstdir=${d_dstdir}
  fi

  echo ${srcdir}
  echo ${dstdir}

else
  echo "syntax: ${0} [ -i/ -f file]"
fi

[baula]

Dear sknake,

Sorry for long late reply...Thank you very much...It was really very helpful!...:D

Thnx again...